liter jerry-can water container, the first of two that we would empty in
the following hour, slowly cooling the overheated metal of the wheel
hub and axle housing. A thick steam cloud rose from the wheel arch
as I poured the first liters of water on the hot metal.
the situation. The vehicle was non-drivable and would need to be
repaired--here. Location? On the side of one of the main tracks
through the Mauritanian Desert--which fortunately sees some regular
traffic on a daily basis--about 95 km east of Tidjikia, a small town
where you can reasonably expect to find a competent mechanic and
crucial car parts. Food on deck? Plenty. Water? Should last for a few
days if needed.
parts. Wheel off and under the axle it went as a precaution in case
the axle fell off the stand. Flange off. Behind it, the disaster. As the
outer bearing failed completely, it started to overheat. The heat dis-
sipated to surrounding parts, which after some time, began to melt.
As a consequence, the bearing nuts were almost an integral part of
the stub axle and to separate them in order to disassemble the wheel
hub, I had to make generous use of a chisel and a steel saw.
midday (more than 110 degrees Fahrenheit) before the parts were
disassembled and the full damage report could be made known.
aged. Hub nuts and nut lock washer: melted, cut during the disas-
sembly. Thrust washer: partly melted, bent and cracked on one
side. CV snap ring: could be reused if necessary. CV: visually
affected by overheating but still usable. Stub axle: nut threads melted
beyond usability.
lem, as we had those spare parts with us. It was this last thing--the
stub axle--that was the main source of the trouble in the situation
we were facing. To make a proper repair that would allow us to
continue with the planned exploration of the Mauritanian Sahara, we
absolutely had to find a replacement. I asked a local who stopped
and offered to help to give me a lift to Tidjikia, where I could prob-
ably find a new stub axle. He agreed and off we went, leaving
Janja to guard the car.
to gave up on the idea of finding the part I so desperately needed.
There were heaps of Hilux stub axles stocked in Tidjikia, both used
and new, but apparently none for an 80 series Land Cruiser--
even none for a 105 series GX, which could also be used as a
replacement.
call a mechanic friend in Nouakchott, who will tomorrow morning--
insha'Allah--go in search of the part in question. As soon as he finds
it, he will--insha'Allah--put it on the first bus going in the direction
of Tidjikia and the driver will--insha'Allah--deliver the part the fol-
lowing day.